*This post is sponsored by Teach Me 2.

Just to be clear, I’m no study expert… Just a mom, fresh out of the grade 4 trenches. I’m talking tears, frustration and loads of moodiness (sometimes from my tween as well). All silliness aside… Grade 4 proved to be a massive leap with loads of challenges but our daughter didn’t just survive… She thrived! We couldn’t be more proud of all she learned and accomplished, but I’m not writing this as a “brag post” or because our daughter achieved anything spectacular, but rather as an olive branch to fellow mamas that may be feeling a little lost or intimidated as those 1st tests and exams creep closer. I know, I would have appreciated a few pointers. Hence, our study tips for 1st exams.

10 Study tips for 1st exams

• 1. Set up a homework/study corner: Nothing new here… I’ve been sharing about the importance of a designated homework space since the girls started Grade 1. (Have a look HERE to see how we incorporated a homework station into our playroom and have a look at my little office corner that Eliana took over last year, as her new study space.) From the moment the girls sit down, they are in a “learning frame of mind”. Ready and open to absorbing new knowledge without any distractions.
• 2. Planning is key: The idea of exams and weekly tests can be overwhelming! With so many new subjects to consider – all with their own work- and textbooks. Getting all that information into one’s head day after day seems impossible! This is where a study schedule comes in handy.

Make use of THESE FREE PRINTABLES for easy study planning.

*Divide study sessions into 25-30 minute intervals with a 10-minute break in between. After 2 sessions take a longer break before starting again. Remember to avoid screens during study breaks. Rather focus on body movement and getting some fresh air.

CLICK on the links below to download and print your

• 3. Divide and conquer: Photocopying relevant test pages from textbooks proves helpful especially while our kids are still learning to make their own summaries, flashcards and mind maps. Group pages together to create smaller daily study piles for a far more manageable workload. Your child is also free to highlight, draw on and scribble all over the pages as they extract what’s most important. Plus, there’s something quite liberating about tearing up a page you’ve worked through or know by heart.
• 4. Be open to what works best for your child: Learning differs for everyone. Generally, kids fall into either visual, auditory, kinesthetic or reading/writing learners. It will take a bit of trial and error to figure out what works best for your child and it may even change depending on age and subjects.

A few helpful study methods according to learning preference include:

*Please note this is only a short summary with a few suggestions, further research is needed to identify and learn more about your child’s specific learning style.

• 5. Revision is key: Once the information has been broken down into smaller chunks it will be easier to learn and understand but revision is needed for new knowledge to move from short-term to long-term memory. Use your time wisely… Eliana loves sticking flashcards with new words and terminology all over her room, ready to read through any time of day. Flashcards go to school just in case she has a period to spare. Repeat! Repeat! Repeat! Until she remembers.
• 6. Practice makes perfect: It may not occur to us, but knowing how to answer questions correctly doesn’t come naturally. It’s a skill that needs to be mastered. Often, especially if a child knows their work, they simply want to share it ALL! Before they realise it, the time has run out and they can’t finish the exam. Make use of old tests or help your child draw up a new one to quiz themselves on what they have learned but also to help familiarise themselves with question types such as: naming, listing, giving an example, describing, choosing the correct option, matching column A with column B and more. Also, teach them to look at the mark allocation for each question. There’s no need to list 7 facts if the mark allocation only allows for 3.
• 7. Double-check exam supplies: A soldier doesn’t go to war unarmed…

Use this CHECKLIST to make sure you’re exam-ready!

CLICK on the links below to download and print your

• 8. Go to bed early! Waking up rested and ready after 8 hours of sleep goes a long way and will help set the tone for a calm test day. Fill up on a healthy breakfast, enough water and your supplements and you’re good to GO!
• 9. Remember to breathe: Experiencing test-day nerves and anxiety is normal. Equip your child with some easy calming techniques that they can draw upon when needed.

A few exercises Eliana recommends:

• 10. Have realistic expectations: For some, exams will be another thing to ace, for others it may take time to find what works best for them. Don’t let fear of failure or your own memories of school add unnecessary pressure to an already challenging new learning curve. Our kids deal with A LOT of expectations, and the biggest gift we can give them as parents would be helping them manage a healthy school/life balance. One where they understand they have an entire term to work hard and get good grades. Good grades shouldn’t ever be the end goal anyway. It should rather be the product of effective learning.

Keep the bigger picture in mind!

It may not seem like it but, you’re at the beginning of a wonderful new chapter. Your “not-so-little-one” needs you more than ever. It won’t always be easy seeing them fail or even worse, feeling like you’re failing them… Because sometimes it will be like you’re right there with your child, back in Grade 4 again! Keep your eyes on the prize. No one will ever remember or ask about Grade 4 BUT you are already investing in those Matric results and laying the foundation for lifelong learning!

And just in case you need a little more support…

Be sure to visit Teach Me 2 Tutors.

Over 25,000 parents have trusted Teach Me 2 for 14 years! Teach Me 2 provides a premier in-person and online tutoring service to learners and their families worldwide. Our goal is to help families prepare their kids for life by giving them confidence in areas they have struggled. Our service also provides first-time jobs and a valuable source of income to tutors. We are passionate about developing people.

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